Mental health precinct for veterans opens in Adelaide

The Jamie Larcombe Centre, a mental health facility for Australian Defence Force veterans has officially been opened in Adelaide.

It coincides with the implementation of the Government’s Transforming Health plan that will see the closure of the Repatriation Hospital’s Ward 17, the previous mental health facility for veterans.

The $15 million precinct, located at Glenside Hospital, is named in honour of fallen digger Sapper Jamie Larcombe who died during operations in Afghanistan in 2011.

The purpose built structure will feature an ambulatory service incorporating outpatient treatment and a Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) service, 24 single rooms with ensuites, outpatient rooms, a gymnasium, research spaces and outdoor areas.

Health minister Peter Malinauskas said the first-class facilities will provide veterans with the health care they deserve for many years to come.

“I think we’ve all seen on show here just how extraordinary these facilities are.

“This will very much be able to replicate the extraordinary work that has gone on at Ward 17 at the Repat Hospital for 50 years.

“We hope that for the 50 years ahead of us this facility will be able to serve our veterans in a way that people have come accustomed to at Ward 17 and beyond,” he said.

Former veteran and current Ward 17 patient Luke Adamson toured the new facility and is excited for the future.

“This site is fantastic, it’s state of the art, it’s so much better.

“Don’t get me wrong, the old one (Ward 17) is fantastic as well and that’s due to probably most of the staff there that have put their life, blood and sweat and tears into it,“ he said.

It’s even tipped to encourage more to seek help.

“This new facility is really going to, I think in my own words, break the stigma, and get some of these younger veterans that are struggling into this facility, especially being named and given the honour of the Jamie Larcombe Centre,” Mr Adamson said.

Of the 70 staff members currently at Ward 17, it is expected that most will retain their jobs at the new centre.